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marie_22's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
In this sequel to Who’s That Girl, the story picks back up right where it left off years ago. With Edie and Elliot giving their relationship another chance, they must try and navigate their very different lives together.
I really liked it, it was a fun read. Edie and Elliot work so well together as a couple, their chemistry was palpable. I really liked the exploration of their new relationship, especially in the light of the added difficulties that came with him being an actor and them having to spend a lot of time apart.
Mhairi McFarlane is just an excellent storyteller and her characters are always well-developed and fleshed out, main characters as well as side characters, which I find to be rather rare. They just feel real to me, which always makes it an immersive experience.
I did struggle a bit with it being a sequel to a book that came out years ago, though. I read the first book when it came out (before I even had this account) and I didn’t remember that much of it. And that wasn’t ideal (for me), I sometimes felt like I was missing some backstory and I think it kept me from really understanding everything that was going on. So personally, I would recommend reading Who’s That Girl before starting this one.
Apart from that, it was a great read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked it, it was a fun read. Edie and Elliot work so well together as a couple, their chemistry was palpable. I really liked the exploration of their new relationship, especially in the light of the added difficulties that came with him being an actor and them having to spend a lot of time apart.
Mhairi McFarlane is just an excellent storyteller and her characters are always well-developed and fleshed out, main characters as well as side characters, which I find to be rather rare. They just feel real to me, which always makes it an immersive experience.
I did struggle a bit with it being a sequel to a book that came out years ago, though. I read the first book when it came out (before I even had this account) and I didn’t remember that much of it. And that wasn’t ideal (for me), I sometimes felt like I was missing some backstory and I think it kept me from really understanding everything that was going on. So personally, I would recommend reading Who’s That Girl before starting this one.
Apart from that, it was a great read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
emilychau's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
beverleyhasread's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
beate251's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for an ARC in return for an honest review.
This is the hotly anticipated sequel to "Who's That Girl?", that more than eight years ago ended in a frustrating cliffhanger. I can happily report that it picks up exactly where the first book ended, as if no time has passed.
Edie has written a ghost memoir of hot new actor Elliot Owen. They fell in love during long interviews, but then Edie called time on the romance due to Elliot's celebrity status requiring him to film in the US for long periods of time. Edie had just undergone a character development journey and even though she loves him, she wanted to put herself first. Now it's Christmas, Elliot is standing at her door again, and she can't resist.
This has a lot fewer pages than the first book, yet it took me longer to read. It's very slow-paced and a lot feels repetitive - the constant stalkerish articles in the press that at the beginning are made of lies but then get accurate, so Elliot and Edie have to find the mole in their group of family and friends, because it causes so much misery in their relationship.
There is a strong case made for those two having a mature sincere relationship that is unfortunately threatened by outside forces, i.e. Elliot's fame that brings trouble to the door.
"People refuse to treat you normally then accuse you of not being normal enough."
McFarlane has a great turn of phrase, the dialogue (and there is lots of it) is smart and funny and such a delight to read. It is so nice to see how much the couple communicate and work through their problems.
"Nora Ephron films are not a YouTube tutorial."
I enjoyed the story but it seemed a bit more one-dimensional as in the first book, with the supporting characters not getting much to do (except for Elliot's brother Fraser) and the Declan character thrown in just to stir things up a little - he didn't feel important until right at the end. Plus, Jack, the groom that kissed her and made her a pariah in the last book, is rearing his ugly head again. Some men really don't realise when they have become irrelevant! Also, the ending seems rushed, with a very abrupt volte face right at the end. But Elliot and Edie feel like old friends, and it was lovely spending time with them.
There is an utterly funny quote from Gavin & Stacey in the book which I recognised immediately as I absolutely adore that show. And, like with this book, there will be one last G & S episode after a five year absence - a Christmas Day 2024 special. The coincidence is just too delicious for words! I'm guessing people clamored for it like they have with this, because we just couldn't get enough of Elliot and Edie. And this book has been worth it to get closure to their story and get them the HEA they deserve. Thank you, Mhairi!
"It’s all the drama, Mick – I just love it!"
This is the hotly anticipated sequel to "Who's That Girl?", that more than eight years ago ended in a frustrating cliffhanger. I can happily report that it picks up exactly where the first book ended, as if no time has passed.
Edie has written a ghost memoir of hot new actor Elliot Owen. They fell in love during long interviews, but then Edie called time on the romance due to Elliot's celebrity status requiring him to film in the US for long periods of time. Edie had just undergone a character development journey and even though she loves him, she wanted to put herself first. Now it's Christmas, Elliot is standing at her door again, and she can't resist.
This has a lot fewer pages than the first book, yet it took me longer to read. It's very slow-paced and a lot feels repetitive - the constant stalkerish articles in the press that at the beginning are made of lies but then get accurate, so Elliot and Edie have to find the mole in their group of family and friends, because it causes so much misery in their relationship.
There is a strong case made for those two having a mature sincere relationship that is unfortunately threatened by outside forces, i.e. Elliot's fame that brings trouble to the door.
"People refuse to treat you normally then accuse you of not being normal enough."
McFarlane has a great turn of phrase, the dialogue (and there is lots of it) is smart and funny and such a delight to read. It is so nice to see how much the couple communicate and work through their problems.
"Nora Ephron films are not a YouTube tutorial."
I enjoyed the story but it seemed a bit more one-dimensional as in the first book, with the supporting characters not getting much to do (except for Elliot's brother Fraser) and the Declan character thrown in just to stir things up a little - he didn't feel important until right at the end. Plus, Jack, the groom that kissed her and made her a pariah in the last book, is rearing his ugly head again. Some men really don't realise when they have become irrelevant! Also, the ending seems rushed, with a very abrupt volte face right at the end. But Elliot and Edie feel like old friends, and it was lovely spending time with them.
There is an utterly funny quote from Gavin & Stacey in the book which I recognised immediately as I absolutely adore that show. And, like with this book, there will be one last G & S episode after a five year absence - a Christmas Day 2024 special. The coincidence is just too delicious for words! I'm guessing people clamored for it like they have with this, because we just couldn't get enough of Elliot and Edie. And this book has been worth it to get closure to their story and get them the HEA they deserve. Thank you, Mhairi!
"It’s all the drama, Mick – I just love it!"
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Alcohol, Bullying, and Stalking
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